Seattle Family Calendar
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With many kids heading back to school at the end of the month, it’s time to make the most of remaining vacation days, filling them with community fests, outdoor story times, concerts, farm fun, art and more — all at no cost to you! There are plenty of activities to choose from so check out my top choices for free things to do around Seattle in August.
Note: Some activities require preregistration and can fill up quickly.
Magnolia Summerfest
Dates: Friday–Sunday, July 31–Aug. 2
It’s summer festival season and the Magnolia community is hosting its annual celebration with live entertainment, bounce houses, an outdoor movie, a kids art tent and Seafair parade.
Shakespeare in the Park: ‘The Tempest’ by GreenStage
Dates: Multiple dates and locations through Aug. 15
Take your summer picnic up a notch with a free, one-hour Shakespearean performance of “The Tempest.” This play features magic, romance and supernatural creatures that the families can enjoy.
Storywalk Scavenger Hunt: Marley’s Pride
Dates: Through Aug. 29
Grab your game sheet from the Kobetich Branch during open hours then embark on a scavenger hunt in Alderwood Park while reading along to this month’s Storywalk title, “Marley’s Pride,” about a little nonbinary kid with big anxieties. Return your completed game sheet by Aug. 29 for a prize!
Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation
Dates: Through Aug. 16
Reserve your spot in advance and head to MOHAI to view this historic traveling exhibit showcasing important documents in America’s history in celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary. Don’t miss this chance to view an original engraving of the Declaration of Independence and the Secret Printing of the Constitution in Draft Form.
Kids Fire Camp
Dates: Wednesday–Friday, Aug. 5–7
Drop by a South County fire station for kids activities that are not only fun but teach about safety. Explore a fire truck, try CPR, take the firefighter challenge and join a relay race. Events are taking place in Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds, Lynnwood and Brier.
Job Carr Storytime in Old Town Park
Dates and time: Wednesday, Aug. 6 and 20, 10–11 a.m.
This sweet story time in Tacoma’s Old Town Park, geared toward kids ages 3–9, pairs a picture book read-along with a matching craft. Expect to hear tales from local authors about animals, growing up, friendship and more.
Search for Glass Floats
Dates: Through Aug. 28
The hunt is on in Everett and West Seattle for gorgeous glass floats hand-blown by local artists. North-end residents can scour Everett’s Waterfront Place or Jetty Island in search of treasure through the end of August, while those closer to Seattle can explore the West Seattle neighborhood from Aug. 7–14.
Bellevue International Festival
Date and time: Saturday, Aug. 8, noon–5 p.m.
In its third year, Bellevue’s global community celebration brings live music, dance performances, food trucks and family fun to Crossroads Park for a festive afternoon.
Tibet Fest
Dates: Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 8–9
Head to Seattle Center’s Armory for a rare opportunity to experience the unique culture of Tibet at the Center’s Festál series’ Tibet Fest. Celebrate with the Tibetan community as you sample their art, culture and culinary traditions.
Red Yarn & the Critters: Folksongs & Puppetry for Families
Date and time: Monday, Aug. 10, 2:30–3:15 p.m.
Red Yarn mixes folk songs and puppetry for a high-energy, interactive show kids will love! Catch a performance at the Shoreline Library and sing, dance, stomp and clap along to original and traditional folksongs. Space is limited.
Park Pop-Ups at Meridian Habitat Park
Date and time: Tuesday, Aug. 11, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Summer is here, time to gear up for outdoor exploration with the Washington Trails Association. Drop in at Meridian Habitat Park to get tips for family nature adventures, enjoy interactive activities and make a themed craft.
Kelsey Creek’s Summer Children’s Concerts
Date and time: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 11 a.m.–noon
Pack up the kids and head to family-fave Kelsey Creek Park for its summer concert series. August brings the music of Nancy Stewart for dancing, moving and singing. Plus, meet the resident farm animals and romp in the farm-themed playground for a playful morning.
North Bend Theatre Free Summer Matinees
Dates and time: Wednesday–Friday, through Aug. 21, 11 a.m.
Reserve your tickets online and treat the kids to a morning at the movies. The North Bend Theatre delivers a free flick for families, Wednesday through Friday during the summer, with titles changing weekly. Screenings in August include “Curious George,” “Richie Rich,” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service.”
FossilEra Open House
Dates: Friday–Sunday, Aug. 14–16
Kids can search for their own fossils and minerals in a dig pit and keep their discoveries or choose a geode to have cracked open when FossilEra, retailer of fossils, meteorites and minerals, opens the doors of its Monroe warehouse to the public.
Chalk the Harbor
Date and time: Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Help transform the sidewalks of Harborview Drive in Gig Harbor using colorful chalk to create an outdoor gallery during the annual Waterfront Art Walk. There will also be live glass-blowing demos, porch concerts and more for the whole family to enjoy.
Mary Olson Farm Summer Open Days
Date and time: Sunday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Spend the day at the farm during Mary Olson Farm’s special August open farm day and learn to weave rag rugs, make butter and get apples ready for pressing, just as families would have done 100 years ago. What a way to experience the past in a fun, engaging way!
Tuesdays in Ballard
Dates and time: Every Tuesday through August 18, 5–7 p.m.
The Ballard Community Center hosts free Tuesday fun for the family with games, crafts and live music. Enjoy fruit, hot dogs and beverages while enjoying performances by SPQR Band (Aug. 4), Seattle Percussion Works (Aug. 11) and folk singer Al Hirsch (Aug. 18).
Touch-A-Truck at Dacca Park
Date and time: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 4–7 p.m.
Honk! Big rig fans can get their fill of heavy machinery and emergency vehicles at Dacca Park in Fife, where they can touch and sit in the equipment — and even honk the horns!
Summer Ride at Cedar Lanes
Dates and time: Mondays and Thursdays through Aug. 20, 5–8 p.m.
Kids of all ages can drop in for a 30-minute ride skills clinic, then hit the dirt, testing their skills on the trails, skills zones and pump track at Cedar Lanes Bike Park in Auburn. Bikes and helmets can be checked out for the program.
Friday Community BBQs
Dates and time: Fridays through Aug. 21, 5–6 p.m.
End your week with free barbecue, music, dancing, games, water play and more at a weekly gathering where you can get to know your fellow community members. The family-friendly fun takes place in front of the International District Community Center.
98118 Fest
Date and time: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2–8 p.m.
Music fans, head to Seattle’s Columbia Park for a neighborhood fest celebrating Southend music, arts and culture. Performances by kid-favorites like Eli Rosenblatt and Northwest Tap Connection will be on tap, as well as artist demos, food trucks, activities for families and more.
‘Night at the Grand Opera’ by String & Shadow Puppet Theater
Date and time: Saturday, Aug. 22, 7–8:30 p.m.
Grab a blanket and some snacks and be ready to be entertained with giant puppetry, live music, dance, and circus arts. Catch a special one-night-only performance for the whole family of the String & Shadow Puppet Theater’s “Night at the Grand Opera” at Magnuson Park Amphitheater.
Art in Nature Walk
Dates: Through Aug. 31
Take a walk along paths in Carnation, Fall City and North Bend where art is nestled in nature, inviting visitors to discover unique works by over 167 artists while strolling through scenic spots and fresh air.
SEA You on the Waterfront: Ocean Pavilion Rooftop
Dates and time: Thursday–Saturday, through Sept. 5, 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Exploring the Seattle Waterfront Park this summer? Be sure to drop by the Ocean Pavilion Rooftop for fun activities for the whole family led by Seattle Aquarium experts. Programs will be taking place through Sept. 5 and include community art-making and plankton collection from Elliot Bay. More sessions will take place at Pier 58.
U-District K-Pop and Hip Hop Dance Classes
Dates and time: Fridays, through Sept. 4, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Drop in with your family to pick up some new K-pop and hip hop dance skills at free weekly classes led by PopRox Dance Studio instructors at the U-District Station and get your flow on this summer.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in February 2024, and was most recently updated on July 30, 2026, to include 25 new, exciting free things to do in Seattle in August for families by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara. Event dates, times and locations were cross-checked and verified by our editor.
